One of the main uses for Plasti-Dip in the workrooms is to coat the ends of boning to avoid sharp edges if you can’t use metal end crimps for whatever reason, but it is handy to have on hand for any kind of tool handle or base that you want stabilized as well. Read More →
Glove stretchers make great pressing and turning tools for the sewist and tailor.Read More →
Use a sewing project planner to get the most out of your time and projects.Read More →
Usually used in packing and shipping operations, a sealing iron can be a nifty tool to keep on hand in a sewing and design workroom too. It is a little larger than the miniature irons sold in fabric and craft stores – making it easier to use and handle – but not nearly as cumbersome as a regular iron. Around here, we’ve got this little guy: Introducing the Thunder Tiger Sealing irons come in a number of shapes and sizes. You want one that has a point and a rheostat, is preferably teflon coated, and has a slight convex curve to the sole plate. ItRead More →
We were tooling around an old tailor’s shop that had closed down and was being sold off when we found this little guy. Let us tell you now: If you can find one of these with a cord in good shape or you have the ability to repair the cord, get it. The nice ting, besides the weight that we love so much, is that there is no flat edge to the plate of the iron. This iron is perfect for ironing full yardage because it doesn’t leave a crimped back end mark, but it is also perfect to use as a detail iron forRead More →
Tailor’s training trick for using thimble.Read More →
Keep colored highlighters handy to make pattern alteration/variation distinctions.Read More →
We get questions about tools all the time. At the workrooms we use old tailor’s irons that have no steam function. We like them better for a few reasons: 1. They are heavy – somewhere in the range of 10-20 pounds. This lets the iron do the pressing work rather than your arm. 2. They have flat plates with no steam holes. This means that when you are pressing delicate or textured fabrics you don’t have to worry as much about damaging the texture by pressing the steam holes into the face of the fabric. We supplement the steam and moisture that aRead More →
One of the things that happens up here when people are sewing tough or rigid fabrics is that they can’t get a good professional press. If you have a tailor’s point press, anvil, clapper, and some clamps you will be able to get that thing to lay flat as a flitter. Get a lot of live steam and heat in the seam, then clap it between two pieces of wood and fasten. You can take the clamps off when it cools and move on to the next section. It is especially helpful when you are doing belt loops or complex junctions in heavy fabric. ItRead More →
A short video Tchad did a while back where he talks about what you want to think about when you buy a new machine. Read More →
These are the machines you want to look for as you shop for a new machine.Read More →
These are machines you really shouldn’t put good money towards without seriously thinking about it first.Read More →
If you are thinking about getting a new machine, here are a few starting points to think about.Read More →
Ashwini needed some core principles to guide her future projects.Read More →
Uniquely You is one of the best, most versatile forms around for the home seamstress.Read More →
